Washington, DC – Rep. Pete Olson (TX-22) today announced that the House Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing on his bill H.R. 806, Ozone Standards Implementation Act. The bill gives states tools to meet important new upcoming ozone and other air quality standards issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It also protects public health while ensuring practical implementation issues are addressed. This legislation ensures that we continue to improve air quality while easing the path to economic growth. The hearing on the bill was held in the Environment subcommittee.
“States continue to work to achieve lower ozone levels and improve air quality,” Rep. Pete Olson said. “The trend is moving in the right direction to lower emissions and improve air quality. As we continue these efforts, we must balance this goal with available technology and states’ ability to meet new levels. My bill provides needed flexibility so that states and localities can adequately achieve new, lower standards with time for compliance. I’m proud that this common sense bill enjoys bipartisan support and look forward to moving it through the committee process and getting it to the floor for a vote.”
Olson Questions Witnesses at Today’s Environment Subcommittee hearing on H.R 806
Background: H.R. 806 allows states to pursue cost-effective and practical implementation of EPA’s ozone standards. Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA sets standards for criteria pollutants, including ground-level ozone. EPA established updated ozone standards in 2008, but did not publish implementing regulations for the 2008 standards until March 2015, and states are just beginning to implement those standards. In October of 2015, EPA revised these standards and states now face the prospect of trying to simultaneously implement two ozone standards.